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bonsaiTALK Adept
Join Date: Mar-2004
Location: Aptos, CA
Country: USA
Posts: 215
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My oak collecting advice
Yenling:
I suggest the sooner you collect the better. If the oaks have already produced the new growth the chances of survival are less but it is still worth while collecting. Look for the trees that have not budded out yet. I have many collected oaks in my yard and some have budded out and some have not.
When you collect the oaks get as many roots as possible but keep the roots shallow enough to fit into a bonsai pot later. Never let the roots dry out as you work with the tree. Use a spray bottle or wet rags to keep the roots wet during all stages of the collection.
As you collect the tree cut it back to the basic structure you will want in the bonsai. Remember to cut shorter that the final outline you would like to have to have room for the future growth to fill in your final outline. These trees will bud out everywhere including on the trunk so most of your future branches may come from the new growth.
Once you have collected the oak remove as much of the field soil as possible and pot into a rich bonsai potting mix. It is very important to remove all of the leaves from the freshly collected live oak. This will keep the tree from drying out while the roots recover from the transplant shock and begin growing and supporting the tree again. Keep the tree well watered and out of the full sun so the branches don't get sunburned. If your tree collection is successful you will have new buds coming out all over the tree in 4 to 6 weeks.
Here are some photos of trees I collected this way.
Gareth
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